Nagpur: Nobel Peace Laureate-2014 Shri Kailash Satyarthi stressed the need to eliminate inferiority complex and the sense of mental slavery generated by the oppressive colonial rulers in the Indian minds. Speaking as chief guest at the RSS Foundation Day here today (October 18, 2018) he said: “This inferiority complex conspicuously reflects in the ever increasing sense of contempt towards our language, tradition, culture, costume, way of living, food and education. It’s a travesty that all efforts to eliminate this complex only make us even more irrational further inflating egos.”

He said for generating self-respect towards the culture the countrymen need to adopt the values that are at the heart of our great culture. “In my opinion the great and eternal Indian culture has three philosophical elements. First, immortality, which means neither we are born nor do we perish. Second, universality, which means that we do not limit ourselves within the boundaries of time and space! It is for this universality that thousands of years ago our sages and saints could give out universal messages like ‘Vasudhaiv Kutumbakam’ (entire earth is one family). Third, totality, which means we do not look at the society and this world in fragmentation,” he added.

Invoking the youth of Bharat he said instead of copying and chasing the shadow of others they should recognise their innate cultural strength and derive self-respect from it. “Let us all take a pledge for building a Compassionate, Inclusive, Secure, Self-Reliant and Self-respecting India. If we start with millions of most marginalised and socially excluded children and work towards ensuring their freedom, protection, security, education, values and health only then will we be able to realise our goal of building a great India. A strong nation cannot be built by hurling blames and accusations on governments nor can it be made merely by making solicitations every now and then. So what makes a nation great? A nation becomes great only when its society chases a big dream and becomes resolute towards its pledge by making the most of its inherent power, energy and capabilities for achieving its goal,” he said appealing to the RSS swayamsevaks to take a lead on this path for saving the present and future of the motherland. “If the RSS Shakhas situated in almost all villages across the length and breadth of the country serve as a firewall to protect this generation of children, then all the generations to come will become self-sufficient in protecting themselves,” he added.

Kailash Satyarthi addressing Swayamsevaks and other guests at Nagpur

Shri Satyarthi also stressed the need to instil the spirit fo compassion. He said compassionless politics, economy and society are much like a body without soul. Without genuinely feeling the pain of others and a firm determination to work towards ending that suffering happiness and peace cannot be instilled. “In the contemporary times robots, artificial intelligence, augmented and virtual reality are growing at a very rapid pace. There is no denying that they are useful too, but we should be equally mindful of the fact as to where would this fast paced technology lead us in 20-30 years from now? For all you know the role of teachers, doctors, philosophers, guides and motivators shall be significantly slighted. Along with schools, hospitals and markets our interpersonal relationships might just also shrink considerably. In such a situation, in the absence of familial values, human feelings and compassion where would we all head to? In my opinion countries with capitalist economies that are driven by physical luxuries would need India the most at that point in time. Therefore, we must forthwith start inculcating sensitivity within ourselves. I have always said that the West has taught us globalisation of markets, economy, consumerism, manufacturing and technology. This tornado and hot gust of materialism has swept most of us off our feet. To counter this we must ensure that cool and gentle breeze of compassion emanates from our great motherland,” he added.